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rbeyer Sun Feb 10 08:47 PM

Once again, Atlantic City followed up a playoff season with a losing record. In fact, this cycle has been repeated three times since 2048. For 2054, the remnants of the 4-3 defense have been almost completely removed and a change to smash mouth offense has started. This includes letting some talented players go (reducing the overall depth) but also making some big splashes in free agency. With QB Graham and WR McLaurin not getting any young, a return to the playoffs is a must. To make that happen, the team is in a win now mode. Building depth is still a goal but significant cap money has been spent on getting some additional starting talent.

Note: all ratings are based on the Atlantic City scouting department. Your results may vary. New players are in bold.

Offense: The Phantoms have not had a 1,000 yard back since the 2049 season. Part of that was the philosophy and some was personnel. In the passing game, there has been a lack of talent beyond WR Dan McLaurin. Changes have been made in both areas.

Graham threw for 3,477 yards last year with 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He did see a dip in his QB rating to 89.0. Ratings wise, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The key is finding a playbook that matches his talent. In addition, he needs talent around him. As you will see below, that area has improved. Although Graham is a pretty tough player, he did miss 2 games last year and ACI lacks a veteran backup. Burnett was brought in late as a free agent and is a whole lot better than 2053 7th round pick Lockett. That really isn't saying much, however. With some cap room available, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a veteran brought in after cut day.

One of the biggest acquisitions this offseason was the signing of Densmore to a huge contract ($15 million in 2054). He ran for over 1,300 yards for Boston in 2052 but injuries limited him to only 269 yards in 7 games last year. The Phantoms hope for a bounce back season. Washington has been the part time starter for the past 3 seasons but he has never been able to grab onto the spot despite a good skillset. He enters the last year of his contract so maybe that will motivate him. With two above average backs on the roster, Dozier was signed to help the special teams.

Fullback is a toss-up as to who will be the starter. Loupe has been the starter since he was a 2nd round pick for ACI in 2044. Garrison was acquired for a 7th round pick to provide a 1-2 punch at this spot as the team emphasizes the running game a bit more. Neither one will be a huge run threat but will help in run and pass blocking.

McLaurin has caught more than 100 passes each of the past two seasons, including 121 last year. All of this with the rest of the receiving group average at best. This year, a new exciting addition arrives in 1st round pick Stephenson. The second receiver drafted, Stephenson has great hands and huge potential. He should reduce the double teams that McLaurin gets while opening up the entire passing game for Graham. Hahn starts his second season in Atlantic City after 29 catches in 2053. Sanford had a whopping 10 catches last year but does have some talent. He is a bigger threat in the punt return game but is a capable 4th receiver. Horn is lucky to have a job at this point and looks like a 4th round bust.

Next to Densmore, the most exciting offensive veteran addition is Stan Bernard, who cost a 2nd and a future 3rd. Back when Atlantic City had an exciting offense (yes, there was a day when that existed) they had excellent tight ends. Old timers may remember hall of famer Carlos Polhemus, who was a Phantom from 2037 to 2043. While Bernard is not a hall of fame player, he is the best tight end that has played for the Phantoms since Polhemus. In Alaska, he was stuck in the shadows of Jonah Blaine, who very well could be a hall of fame tight end. This is Bernards chance to shine. Fields, Ferrer and rookie Collins will look for any scraps left behind.

One of the positions that is setup well for the present and future is Center. Williamson, a former 3rd round pick, is the starter with Hawkins, a former 5th round pick who looks like a nice surprise, waiting in the wings and getting better every week.

Grebene has been a stud from the moment he was drafted as the 5th overall pick in 2047. Sellers was a 1st round pick in 2053 as the Phantoms continue to focus on offensive line talent. They form one of the better guard tandems in the league. Simmons is the primary backup at both spots while Mohler is a run block first guard who hopefully spends most of his time on the bench.

Speaking of stud lineman, Wagner was the 5th overall pick in 2048. I sense a pattern here. This guy is a road grader who has only missed 3 games in 6 seasons. Hopper was part of the same draft as Wagner (3rd round) and is set to become a free agent at the end of the year. He should have something to prove to the rest of the league. Remember that statement about depth? Stanton and Finks are stop gap players only, although if pressed into duty the run game would be OK. The passing game? Don't tell Graham but ouch.

Coming Soon - Defensive Preview

Defense: The switch to the 3-4 defense continues as the players who don't fit continue to leave, either via free agency or outright being waived. A strong young nucleus at LB added a talented veteran and a big free agency signing at CB highlight the rest of the changes.

Stanton, one of the few 4-3 holdovers, was franchised and later signed a new 4 year contract. That is a lot of money for a guy who has not exactly lit up opposing QB's (9 sacks in 4 years) but he was too good to let go as a free agent. Emerson was acquired from Las Vegas for a 7th and a future 4th round pick. He is a big end who fits the defense better than Jack Farley, who was a surprise late cut. Cote is a young end who starts his second year in Atlantic City. While still raw, he is a future starter and current backup at both spots. Remember that comment about depth issues? Bates is a prime example of this weakness.

Sherman was acquired last year to fill the NT spot and did quite well with 4 sacks. Two additional NT's were brought in and with mixed results so far. Praw signed for 3 years and could push Sherman for the starting spot. While his ratings are average, he did record 8 sacks last season. Walton looks like possibly the worst free agent signing of the year. He looked comparable to Sherman and Praw prior to training camp but had a few setbacks. He also signed for 3 years so he is likely here for at least the rest of 2054.

Outside LinebackersSLB Starter: Mack Barker - 3rd year - 67/67WLB Starter: Landon Crawford - 3rd year - 78/78Backup: Mo Donhoff - 4th year - 48/48The starters on the outside are outstanding. Both drafted in 2052, Crawford (1st round) and Barker (4th round) anchor this defense and are the key to making the 3-4 work. They will be fun to watch. Donhoff is a 4-3 DE who was shopped around but there were not takers. He actually signed a new 2-year contract and will backup both outside spots. Yup, depth concerns.

The big addition here was Zeller, who signed a huge 2-year deal. He is the defensive front leader and gives the defense three outstanding linebackers. Duncan, a 2nd round pick in that 2052 linebacker heavy ACI draft, steps us as the starter on the weakside. Hubinger will be the primary backup while Morris is a candidate at WalMart in a week or two once the final cuts from around the league are in.

Johnstone, taken in the 3rd round, was the biggest draft surprise for the Phantoms. He will have his struggles being a young player but his future is very bright. Hicks returns and will enter his 4th season as the starter at FS. Rozelle was brought in via free agency with the thought that he would be the starting SS. He still might get that opportunity but for now he is the backup. Harlan had a nice little jump in ability this offseason and with strong run defense skills is a pretty good backup.

The biggest need in the offseason was a big cornerback and Atlantic City wasted no time going after Garner. A former 1st round pick in Oregon, he fills the need at 6-3 (while also recording 107 tackles last year). Hinrichs and Morris were both free agents who resigned with the Phantoms and give the team three very strong corners. Wheeler is a former 6th round pick who continues to improve but his ceiling is a dime back. Centers is a special teams guy who could be one of the first out the door if new players are brought in.

PunterStarter: Bryson Szypulski - Rookie - 56/67

How do you save money in the CFL? One way is to bring in rookie punters and kickers to replace veterans with high cap numbers. Thanks to the acquisition of a couple extra draft picks, ACI was able to draft the #1 Punter and #2 Kicker. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Szypulski, taken in the 6th round, looks like the real deal.

KickerStarter: Harrison Tucker- Rookie - 37/37As noted above, sometimes you have to take a chance on youth. Dean Ehlert, last years kicker, was in his 8th season and had a high cap number. Tucker, selected in round 5, looked like a very good prospect on paper but his post training camp numbers are poor. Regardless, he will get a chance to see what he can do. However, if he falters then it won't take long for the front office to admit their mistake and move on.

ReturnersKickoffs: RBN DensmorePunts: WR Sanford

Densmore not only brings excellent skills in the running game but he is a good kick returner with a career average of 24.4 yards. Sanford (with a 91 rating) averaged 12.2 yards per punt return in 2053, which included 2 touchdowns. This will likely be his biggest contribution to the team.